Comb cleaning device



Amid W ]]@3@ s TH EsEN 2,@

COMB CLEANING DEVICE Filed April 19, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

INVENTOR 1% 9- s. THEESEN COMB CLEANING DEVICE Filed April 19, 1934 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR w m w ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 7, 1936 UNETEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The present improvements relate, in general, to cleaning devices andmore particularly to devices for cleaning tonsorial implements such ascombs and the like.

, A primary object of the improvements is to provide an improvedmechanism for cleaning combs, either with wet or dry means.

Another object is to provide a novel mechanism for applying disinfectantor other liquid to the comb to be cleansed.

A further object is to provide an improved arrangement of brushes andcomb holding means. In devices of this character, it is desirable thatthe brushes be relatively stiff, whether employed 15 with or without alotion, and it is therefore an object of the improvements to provide adevice wherein the brushes will be moistened, only when in actual use,and one wherein the life of the brushes is prolonged. A novel moisturetransfer means, for conveying liquid from the source to the brushes,constitutes a further object of the invention.

Further objects are to provide an improved type of moistening roller, anovel arrangement for impelling the moistening roller, and means forfacilitating separation of the rollers, brushes, etc.,

for readily cleaning same.

Another object of the improvements is to regulate and control theapplication of moisture to the brushes so that an excessive amount willnot be carried to the brushes.

A further object is to provide a novel structure having rotary brushesfor cleaning a comb, wherein the brushes may be rotated in eitherdirection and the comb is held in position among the bristles of thebrushes at all times.

' Other objects are to provide a sanitary comb cleaning device havingincreased efficiency and 40 durability, while further objects andadvantages may occur to those skilled in the art upon reference to theaccompanying specification and drawings, in which- Figure 1 is aperspective view illustrating one embodiment of the improvements;

' Figure 2 is an end elevation of the device shown in Figure 1, with thecover laid back;

Figure 3 is a transverse section of the device 50 shown in Figure 1;

, Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the device shown in Figure l,with cover removed and parts of the brushes omitted for convenience;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the liquid or 55 lotion container;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the overlapping brushes with a combnested among them, in cleaning position;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the device, showing only one brush, toillustrate its position relative to the slot, and illustrating amodified comb holder, with retainer parts omitted;

Figure 8 is a fragment, in section, of the modified form of Fig. 7,showing a comb in position, with the retainer thereover;

Figure 9 is a perspective of the modified form, with retainer.

Referring to the drawings, a support Ill in the form of a cabinet isprovided for compactly and neatly housing the parts of the mechanism,although they may be suitably mounted in a frame, with or without acabinet if desired. A hinged cover l, downwardly swinging front closureI2 and storage drawer I3 complete the exterior make-up of the cabinet.

A pair of cylindrical brushes M and I5 are journalled for rotation inbearings mounted in the upper portion of the cabinet. On the left handside (Fig. 4) these bearings are preferably of the U-shaped type so asto facilitate removal of the brushes when desired. Any desirable meansfor retaining the brushes in the bearings may be provided, as forexample, posts I6, carried by one end of the cover H, in register withthe U-bearings H, see Fig. 2. The opposite ends of the brushes areequipped with interengaging gears l8 and I9 and a crank or handle isprovided on the end of brush I4, which extends through the cabinet, sothat both brushes may be simultaneously rotated.

As illustrated more particularly in Figs. 2, 3, and 6, the brushes aremounted so that they overlap, intermesh and interengage. This relationis maintained at all times when the brushes are idle or rotating.

The cover I l is provided with an opening 2|, having finger cut outs 22,which facilitate insertion and removal of the comb. The opening 2| isaligned with the overlapped bristles of the brushes, and has a combholding means in the form of spaced Wires 23 suspended at intervalsalong the opening and depending into and through the overlapped bristlesso that when a comb is held thereby, it will be nested among theoverlapped bristles. In this manner, the comb will always be accessibleto the overlapped bristles, and the latter will contact the comb, and,penetrating the interstices, will project through to the opposite sides,thereby insuring -'SlOllS.

.shallow grooves have been. provided, and as they pass-through theliquid, a small amount adheres withinthe grooves and is carried up tothe ends of 1 the brushes.

thorough access of both brushes to all parts of the comb.

As observed from the position of the comb 24, in Fig. 6, it is held in avertically disposed nest of bristles defined by the overlapping of thebrushes.

If it is desired to clean combs with dry brushes, the arrangement thusfar described may be employed. The comb to be cleaned, is inserted inthe opening 2i, and the handle turned, so that the brushes rotate in thedirection of the arrows in Fig. 6. The grip of the brushes on the combtend to drive it downward, but the comb is held by the members 23. Thisdrag on the comb by the brushes, tends to loosen dirt and foreign matterthereon. After the combs has received this treatment, it may be ejectedby turning the handle 29 in an opposite direction, whereupon the comb iselevated through .the opening of the cover ll, whence it may be readilyremoved.

It ispreferable, however, thatmoisture in the form of some disinfectantor other lotion, be applied to the brushes and combs. The presentimprovements accordingly provide an improved type of moistening means,wherein liquid is conveyed from a source in limited quantities.

A receptacle 25, preferably of glass, porcelain or the like, isremovably mounted within the cabinet beneath the brushes. Idler rollers26 and ill are loosely journalled in the receptacle in such a manner asto be partly immersed in the disinfectant or otherliquid .28. Thereceptacle is supported so that the rollers are aligned with and engagedby the brushes. This relation of parts is of primary importance,although the rollers and receptacle may be variously positioned withrespect to the brushes, as for example, at either side thereof.

In operation, the rotation of the brushes, imparts a rotary movement tothe rollers, whereby the latter bring up a limited amount of the liquidwhich is transferred to the tips of the brushes and thence conveyed tothe comb. The continued rotation of the rollers obviously elevates moreliquid to the brushes with the result that all the ends of the brushesare moistened.

It is significant that the brushes are Wetted only when the parts arerotated. During intervals of idleness therefore, the brushes receive noliquid so that they do not become. saturated or lose their rigidity. Thebrushes are therefore always out of direct contact with the source ofliquid so that their life and efliciency is prolonged. Rigidity of thebristles, coupled with limited moisture, contribute to more efficientcleansing of the comb. In this fashion, the bristles do not. rot orbecome curled and out of shape. Furthermore, the amount of liquidreaching the bristles and comb is controlled so that there is no excessof moisture applied to either. While the periphery of the rollers may besmooth and will function in the foregoing manner, I prefer to provideinterstices or recesses 30 in the periphery. These recesses may be ofvarious forms so long as they carry the liquid by the natural affinitythat it has for adhering and forming a filmin such narrow, shallowdepres- In the illustrated embodiment, narrow As illustrated, the:brushes and rollers are mounted sothat the ends of. the

:brushes extend into and engagethe wallsofithe grooves, so that theliquid is thereby picked up. It is believed preferable to have thegrooves about as deep as the thickness of the combs so that the ends ofthe brushes will be dampened to that extent, and the disinfectant orlotion will be applied to all parts of the comb. If desired, the rollersmay be faced with rubber having depressions or projections providinginterstices for holding a film of liquid. Furthermore, the surface ofthe roller may be reticulated.

In thus surfacing the rollers, a slightly greater amount of liquid iselevated and transferred, than in the case of the smooth rollers. Allthe bristles are thereby assured of being dampened, and should therollers warp or sag, all the bristles Will still be moistened.

It is noteworthy also that the traction between the brushes and rollersis improved by the recesses. The bristles engage the bottoms as well asthe sides of the recesses and thereby insure rotation of the rollers. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the, grooves are formed parallel to thedirection of rotation, while certain of the bristles are mounted at anangle to the direction of rotation, whereby those bristles may engagethe side walls of the grooves, and improve the traction.

Itmay be found desirable, to rotate the brushes in a direction oppositeto that of the arrows. in Fig. 6. of the brushes tends to eject thecomb, butthe operator may hold the comb down and in p0- sitionwith hishand. If this is not feasible, the modification of Figs. '7 to 9 may beemployed.

For convenience in illustration one part of this arrangement has beenomitted in Fig. '7.

In this modification, the wires. 23 support spaced wires which aresecured in position in any desired manner. As seen in Fig. 8,- the combis held between these wires, which preventthe brushes from cantingitfrom the vertical,upon reverse rotation thereof. A retainer 36 ismovably mounted on the cover I I so as to be moved into and out .ofengagement with the comb 24. In the illustrated embodiment, thisretainer is pivoted at 3'! for swinging from full to dotted lineposition and vice .versa. Pivoted clips 38 are provided for releasablyholding the retainer 36 in operative position.

After the comb 24 is inserted, the retainer 36 may be secured inposition whereupon the brushes may be rotated in a direction opposite tothe arrows in- Fig. 6. In this form it is obvious also, that the brushesmay be rotateduin either direction.

It will be understood that the structure of. the modification of Figs. 7to 9. is otherwise'the same as that of Figs. 1 to 6. In Fig. 7, only onebrush has been shown in order to illustrate and emphasize the positionthereof relative to the opening 2| and to the wires. Companion brush 15,which has been omitted, is mounted in a similar relation,

In all forms of the improvements, the brushes are yieldably forcedagainst'the comb so that some bristles .may bend and Wipe the exteriorthereof while others wipe the interior and project through the teeth.A'thorough and complete cleansing of the comb is assured.

The various parts of the device are readily separable so that they maybe taken out and cleaned from time to time.

The level of the comb holding means 23 may .be adjusted to accommodatecombs :having a slight curve or other irregular contour. Various Asaforementioned, such manipulation other modifications of theimprovements may be made without departing from the scope and purview ofthe invention.

I claim:

1. A comb cleaning device comprising a housing, a brush journalled insaid housing, means for supporting a comb in contact with said brush,means for rotating said brush relative to said comb while in contacttherewith, a receptacle having a liquid out of contact with said brushand a roller partly immersed in said liquid and engaging said brush,said roller having a recessed peripheral surface.

2. A comb cleaning device comprising a support, a pair of oppositelydisposed brushes journalled in said support, means for supporting a combin contact with said brushes, means for rotating said brushes relativeto said comb while in contact therewith, a pair of grooved rollers, oneof which is disposed opposite each brush with the bristles of thebrushes within the grooves of the rollers, and a liquid well beneathsaid rollers for wetting same said brushes concurrently driving saidrollers and deriving moisture from the grooves thereof.

3. In a comb cleaning device, a rotary brush, an idler roller oppositesaid brush, means for in suring rotation of said roller by the rotationof said brush, said means comprising circumferential grooves in the faceof said roller, said grooves being parallel to the direction ofrotation, bristles in said brush arranged circumferentially and at anangle to the direction of rotation, said roller and brush being mountedwith the bristles and grooves in mesh, and with the bristles engagingthe walls of the grooves whereby the rollers are driven by the bristlesin the grooves.

STEPHEN THIESEN.

